India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
